Blood Sugar Metabolism Disorders
Conditions
- Type I Diabetes Mellitus: DMI usually begins in childhood and is due to insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. The cause is viral or autoimmune disease. Insulin allows glucose to travel from the blood into the cells, where it can be metabolized. When there isn’t enough insulin, blood glucose levels become elevated.
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus: DMII usually begins in adulthood and is often due to insulin resistance or improper response of insulin receptors to the insulin produced by the pancreas.
- Hypoglycemia: The symptoms of hypoglycemia come on when blood sugar levels drop too low. Symptoms go away after eating, when blood sugar levels return to normal. The diagnosis of hypoglycemia is usually based on symptoms because blood sugar levels are only low at the time patients are experiencing symptoms.
- Hyperinsulinemia: This condition is often a precursor to Type II Diabetes. Patients can develop elevated insulin levels before they develop elevated blood glucose levels. The pancreas makes and secretes excessive amounts of insulin, presumably in an effort to compensate for insulin resistance.
- Syndrome X: This syndrome refers to a metabolic syndrome of hyperinsulinemia that is associated with high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, and low HDL levels. Predisposing factors include a family history of Type II diabetes, a diet high in carbohydrates, and a sedentary lifestyle. Truncal obesity, fatty liver, difficulty losing weight, and hypoglycemia often accompany this condition.
Diabetic Complications [B]
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Cardiovascular Disease
Associated Syndromes and Etiologies [B]
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): This condition can lead to amenorrhea, infertility, and hirsutism in females. It is also associated with hyperinsulinemia. PCOS can be treated as a condition of insulin resistance.
- Stress: Stress has been established as an independent risk factor for Type II diabetes. Physiologically, stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which leads to increased blood glucose, hyperinsulinemia, and, over time, truncal obesity.
- Adrenal Resistance: Increased cortisol also decreases the conversion of T4 to T3, leading to decreased metabolism, resulting in increased obesity.
- Hypothyroidism and Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome: These thyroid conditions lead to decreased metabolism that can cause obesity.
Signs and Symptoms [B]
DM Type I - Typical symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss despite a normal or increased dietary intake, fatigue, and opportunistic infections, such as mycotic infections.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis may develop if DM type I is left untreated. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, hypotension, and even coma can result.
- Diabetes Type I increases risk of cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, cataracts, and retinal disease.
DM Type II
- Typically, this condition comes on insidiously over several years. Symptoms can be similar to Type I, but without the propensity to ketoacidosis.
- Patients are usually over 30, overweight or obese, and may have a history of hypertension and dyslipidemias.
- Long-term complications are similar as those mentioned for Type I, although in this case, complications, such as neuropathy, mycotic infections, or eye disease, may be the first clue to a disease state.
Hypoglycemia
- Tired all the time
- Hungry between meals or at night
- Depressed
- Insomnia, awakening with inability to return to sleep
- Wake up after a few hours sleep
- Fearful (overwhelmed by people, places, or things)
- Can’t decide easily
- Can’t concentrate
- Poor memory
- Worry frequently
- Highly emotional
- Moody
- Cry easily, or feel like crying inside
- Fits of anger
- Magnify insignificant details (mountains out of molehills)
- Eat candy, cake, or drink soda pop
- Eat bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, or beans
- Consume alcohol
- Drink more than three cups of coffee or cola drinks daily
- Crave candy, soda, or coffee between meals or mid-afternoon
- Can’t work well under pressure
- Headaches
- Sleepy during the day
- Sleepy or drowsy after meals
- Lack of energy
- Can’t get started in the morn
- Stomach cramps or ‘nervous stomach’
- Allergies: asthma, hay fever, skin rash, sinous trouble, etc.
- Fatigue relieved by eating
- Suicidal thought or tendencies; feeling of hopelessness
- Bored
- Bad dreams
- Irritable before meals
- Heart beats fast (palpitations)
- Get shaky inside when hungry
- Feel faint if meal is delayed
- Ulcers, gastritis, chronic indigestion, abdominal bloating
- Cold hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Bleeding gums
- Dizziness, giddiness, or lightheadedness
- Aware of breathing heavily
- Bruise easily
- Reduced sex drive
- Poor coordination (drop or bump into things)
- Sweating excessively
- Unsocial or antisocial behavior
- Muscle twitching or cramps
- Skin aches or itches
- Phobias (excessive fear or some thing or situation)
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Trembling (shaking) hands
Syndrome X Symptoms
- Syndrome X is a pre-diabetic condition resulting from insulin resistance without necessarily elevated blood glucose levels.
- Truncal obesity resistant to calorie restriction, elevated triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol are common findings.
- Fatigue (especially after meals with a high glycemic index or load), skin tags, Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie’s disease, osteoarthritis, hypoglycemia, and sugar cravings may also be present.
Medical History A
- Family history of diabetes type II
- Combined with a diet high in refined carbohydrates, deficient in dietary fiber, and a lack of physical exercise.
Physical Examination A
- Truncal obesity, hypertension, skin tags, cataracts, opportunistic infections.
Laboratory Tests for Diabetes/Syndrome X A
- Fasting plasma glucose is the typical diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus.
- Oral glucose insulin tolerance test (GITT) is indicated if hyperinsulinemia is suspected.
- Hemoglobin A1c is a useful measure of average blood glucose over a 2- to 3-month time span.
- Serum lipids (triglycerides, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol), lipoprotein A, and homocysteine are useful to assess cardiovascular risk.
Cortisol and DHEA to assess adrenal function as increased cortisol and decreased DHEA are typical in insulin resistance.
Therapeutics [B]
DM Type I B
Niacinamide: High does of niacinamide (25 mg/kg) have suppressed autoimmune disease in recently diagnosed DM Type I. Cases of complete remission with this protocol have occurred. This protocol may cause remission of DM Type I if done within 6 months of the diagnosis. If no effect has been shown within 8 weeks, chance of cure is low. Patients should consider neuropeptide injections, a low glycemic diet, and herbs after the 6-month mark or after trying this protocol without success.
Gymnema sylvestra: 2 grams daily helps stimulate insulin production. No cases of complete remission with this approach; however, it significantly balances blood sugar levels.
Pterocarpus marsupium: 2 grams daily helps stimulate insulin production. Clinical research indicates significantly reduced need for exogenous insulin. No cases of complete remission with this approach reported; however, it significantly balances blood sugar levels.
Camal tamala: 2 grams daily helps stimulate insulin production. No cases of complete remission with this approach; however, it significantly balances blood sugar levels.
Hydrogen Peroxide: IV.2cc H202 (30% solution) in 250 D5W, three times a week to kill microbial causes of diabetes type I. Needs to be done immediately after onset. Cases of complete remission with this protocol reported.
IV Antiviral Protocol (Dioxychlor and Sulfoxamine) (from Bradford Research Institute):Three times a week to kill microbial causes of diabetes type I. Clinically proven in large clinical trials for reducing viral load after 12 treatments.
Neuroeptide Injections: 1 cc every 3 weeks. Used in autoimmune disease very successfully. Animal studies indicate complete remission of DM Type I. Human studies used successfully in reversing other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Avoidance of Dairy Products: Antibodies to cow milk are speculated as a possible etiology for some individuals.
Low-Glycemic Diet: The diet helps reduce spikes in blood sugar and results in more regulated blood sugar levels. See glycemic index of common foods.
